Safety-stirrup.



J. C. DOLAN 5: J. LENORD.

SAFETY STIRRUP.

APYLIUATION FILED MAR. 15, 1911.

1 ,088,552. Patented Feb. 24, 19ML mmf/nag AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA c.

UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEicE.

JOHN c. DOLAN AND JOHN LENoi-ti-J, or WINDBEE, PENNSYLVANIA.

SAFETY-STIRRUP.

the following is a specification.

The invention relates to stirrups, and more particularly to the class of safety stirrups. l

rlhe primary object of the invention is the vprovision of astirrup in which a riders foot may be released from the stirrup on the falling of the animal, thus obviating injury to the rider thereof.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a stirrup which is adapted to open to release the foot of the i'ider in case of accident or a runaway, or to allow a quick dismount should an animal become unruly or fractions.

A further object of the invention 1s the provision of a stirrup which will open to permit the release of the riders foot, but when in closed position will be sufficiently strong to sustain the weight of the rider when mounted upon an animal.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a stirrup which is simple in construction, thoroughly reliable and efficient in operation, and inexpensive in manufacture.

VVit-h these and other objects in view, the

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed Marcli 15, 1911.

invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claim hereunto appended. In the drawing: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a stirrup constructed in accordance with the invention. Fig. 2 is a similar View, showing the same in open position. Fig. 3 1s a bottom plan view. Fig. 4 is a side elevation, the st-irrup being in closed position, and partly in section.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

Referring to the drawing by numerals, the stirrup comprises a tread bar, 5, from which rises, at one end thereof, a stationary outwardly bowed branch arm 6, the tread bar 5 being formed with a longitudinally disposed slot 7, opening through itsbottoin and one end thereof, the 'inner end ofthe said i Patented Feb. 24, 1914.

seriai No. 614,664.

slot being formed with a dove-tail shaped recess 8, in which is wedged a correspond ingly-shaped lug 9 formed on one end of a tapering leaf spring 10, the latter being coextensive with and mounted in the slot 7 in the tread bar, for a purpose as will be hereinafter more fully described.

Mounted in the slot 7 in the tread bar 5, at the free end thereof, is a swinging outwardly bowed branch arm 11, the saine be- :ing formed with a foot-engaging extension 12, which is designed to fit within the slot T when the branch arm 11 is in closed position. Near the point of juncture of the branch arm 11 with the foot engaging extension 12 is formed a suitable transverse opening, through which is passed a pivot 13, the saine being also engaged in the side walls of the slot 7, thus pivotally connecting the swinging branch arm to the tread bar for the opening and closing of said branch arm 11 during the use of the stirrup.

The inner end of the foot engaging extension 12 is provided with a heel 111, presenting faces 15 and 1G, at angles to each other, the saine being alternately engaged by the free end of the spring 10 when the branch arm 11 has been moved to opened and closed positions, so that the saine will be sustained in either position. The foot engaging extension 12 at its outer free end is adapted to rest upon the lug 9 of the spring 10 when engaged in the slot 7 in the tread bar, whereby the said extension 12 will have its upper face iiush with the upper face of the latter.

Formed in the free end of the stationary branch arm 6 is a recess 17 which is adapted to receive a correspondingly shaped tongue 18 formed on the free end of the swinging branch arm 11, the tongue 18 being provided with an arcuate-shaped notch 19 opening through one corner, of the latter for receiving a pin 20 fixed transversely in the recessed end of the stationary branch arm 6 to intersect the recess 17, so that when the tongue 1S engages in the said recess, the pin 20 will engage in the notch 19 in the tongue 1 18 on the swinging arm 11, thus locking the stationary and movable arms 6 and 11 together, so as to prevent the separation thereof when strain is exerted on the tread bar 5, while the foot of the rider is engaged in the stirrup and resting upon the tread bar thereof.

n the operation of the stirrup, the riders l (l l) foot is engaged therein, so that the same will rest upon the tread bar 5 and the foot-engaging extension l2. Thus in this manner= the swinging branch arm 11 will be retained in its closed position and engaged with the pins QG in the stationary branch arm 6. During the mount of the rider, the downward pressure of the foot engaged in the stirrup will retain the foot-engaging extension 12 seated within the slot 7 in the tread bar, thus sustaining the swinging arm closed and against opening movement. Should the rider fall or be thrown from the mount, his foot engaged in the stirrup will be thrust against the swinging branch arm l1 and the pressure exerted thereagainst by the foot will cause the outward swinging of the same, thereby opening the stirrup for Jfreeing the riders foot, and thus obviating all liabilit7 of accident resulting Jfrom the riders foot being caught in the stirrup when i thro-Wn from a horse.

What is claimed is:

A safety stirrup comprising a longitudinally recessed tread bar, a trip member pivoted at one side ot' said tread bar and comprising a foot piece normally seated in the recess thereof and a curved side member terminating in a tongue provided with an arcuate slot whose axial center coincides with the pivot of the trip member, a. statio-nary upstanding curved side member formed to constitute the top of the stirrup and terminating in a downwardly curved arm terminally slotted and disposed below said top at one side thereof to form an abutment for said toot piece when said trip member is released, a transif'erse pin arranged within the slot of said arm, and said slotted tongue of the trip member being arranged to enter the slot in said arm and to receive the pin arranged therein for the pur pose specified.

Tn testimony whereof we aiiix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN C. DOLAN. JOHN LENORD. Vitnesses S. K. BAREFooT, W. S. BAREroo'r.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patenti,

Washingtonx D. G. 

